Page 112 of When Wishes Bleed

Brecan stood behind him, and Mira beside Brecan. Something had changed in them. There was a spark in their eyes that wasn’t there before; the magic that poured off them was visceral and potent.

“Tell us what you need, Sable. Name it, and it will be done,” Arron promised.

“Miss Sable?” a guard shouted across the Night Garden.

The urgency of his voice told me the guard needed me. I ran toward him, leaving my friends behind.

“Here!” I cried out.

A look of relief slid over his face when he caught sight of me. “The King needs you.”

“Is he okay?” I asked as I reached him.

“Yes, Miss. He said he needed to speak with you about an urgent matter.”

I followed the guard to the King’s bedroom. Four other guards stood outside, ensuring the safety of their king.

Stepping into the room, I took him in. The effort of just walking to his study this morning had depleted his energy. He slumped in his bed, the pillows stuffed behind him unable to prop him up. “King Lucius,” I greeted.

“You must go,” he rasped. “Tauren told me that the witches are in trouble. You have to go to them and help them.”

“Who will protect Tauren if I leave?”

“He agreed to double or triple his guard – whatever you think is best. Name it, and it will be done.”

Those were the same words Arron had just spoken outside.

Fate straightened my shoulders. It is almost time to defend my House.

I blinked rapidly. “Quadruple his guard, but I’ll send someone to watch over the palace. And Tauren.”

The King blinked tiredly, weakly gripping the edge of his blanket. “Thank you. For all you’ve done.”

My muscles went rigid, fingernails biting half-moons into my palms. I shook my head in frustration. “I haven’t done enough. I wasn’t able to find the ones who tried to hurt him.”

The King offered a weak smile. “You did something far more important, Sable. You kept him safe, and you showed him true love in the process.”

A knot formed in the back of my throat.

“I’ll always watch over him.”

This was it. I knew when I left the palace, I wouldn’t return. Either Cyril would win, or I would take my rightful place among my people. But I couldn’t stay here.

The King offered a sympathetic smile and reached for my hand. I placed it in his and he brought it to his lips, placing a kiss on the back of it. “I know you will. Now, go. Save my people. Save your people.” His grip tightened with each word.

I strode from the room and headed for mine. I shrugged on a pair of black-as-night pants, the white shirt and leather vest I’d worn during my archery lesson with Tauren, and filled my pockets with black salt.

Walking back to the Night Garden, I was shocked to see Tauren there.

“Where are Brecan, Mira, and Arron?” I asked, breaking the awkward silence.

“Were you going to leave without telling me?”

“I have to go.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. “Brecan filled me in on what was happening in Thirteen. The smoke…”

“That’s why I have to leave.”

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